Former Bangladesh one-day captain Tamim Iqbal announced his retirement from international cricket, saying he did not want to be a distraction for the team ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Tamim made his international debut in a 2007 One-Day International (ODI) against Zimbabwe in Harare. He played 243 ODIs, 70 Tests and 78 T20 Internationals (T20Is).
Tamim earlier retired from international cricket a few months before the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023, but reversed that decision within a day. Then he missed the World Cup due to a back injury.
The 35-year-old scored over 15,000 runs in all formats and hit 25 centuries, the most of any Bangladeshi batsman. He last played for Bangladesh in the 2-0 home ODI series loss against New Zealand in September 2023.
“I have been away from international cricket for a long time. That distance will remain. My chapter in international cricket is over,” he wrote in a social media post.
“I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. Now that a big event like the Champions Trophy is approaching, I don’t want to be the center of attention, which could make the team lose concentration.”
The Champions Trophy will be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9. Bangladesh are in Group A, along with hosts and defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and India.
“Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto sincerely asked me to return to the team (for the Champions Trophy),” Tamim added.
“There were also conversations with the selection committee. I appreciate you still considering me on the team. However, I have listened to my own heart.”
